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Creamy 10-Minute Tzatziki Sauce – vegetarian recipe
Stav Kogan

Creamy 10-Minute Tzatziki Sauce

Transport your taste buds straight to a sun-drenched Greek island with this incredibly fresh and creamy Tzatziki sauce! This classic dip is the ultimate warm-weather companion, bursting with cool cucumber, zesty lemon, and a hint of garlic and mint. In just 10 minutes, you can cr
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 serving
Calories: 79
Ingredients Method Nutrition

Ingredients
  

  • ½ cup (120 g / 4.2 oz) shredded cucumber, drained
  • 1 teaspoon (6 g / 0.21 oz) salt
  • 1 tablespoon (15 mL / 0.5 fl oz) extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon (4 g / 0.14 oz) fresh mint, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced or grated
  • 1 cup (240 g / 8.5 oz) full-fat Greek yogurt
  • 1 teaspoon (5 mL / 0.2 fl oz) fresh lemon juice
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Always use full-fat, plain Greek yogurt. Its thick, strained consistency is essential for a creamy, non-watery sauce.
  • For a milder garlic flavor, grate the garlic cloves on a microplane. For a more potent kick, let the minced garlic sit in the lemon juice for 5 minutes before mixing it into the yogurt.
  • Tzatziki tastes even better the next day! Prepare it a day in advance to let the flavors fully develop. It will keep well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Method
 

  1. Directions
  2. The key to thick Tzatziki is removing excess water from the cucumber.
  3. Place the shredded cucumber in a fine-mesh sieve over a bowl, sprinkle with the salt, and let it drain for at least 30 minutes. For a quicker method, wrap the shredded cucumber in a cheesecloth or a clean kitchen towel and squeeze firmly to remove as much liquid as possible.
  4. In a medium bowl, combine the drained cucumber, full-fat Greek yogurt, extra virgin olive oil, chopped mint, minced garlic, and fresh lemon juice.
  5. Stir until everything is well incorporated.
  6. For the best flavor, cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This allows the garlic and mint to meld beautifully with the creamy yogurt.
  7. Serve chilled as a refreshing dip with pita bread and fresh vegetables, or as a classic sauce for grilled lamb, chicken, or beef. It's also a fantastic topping for gyros or a side for fried summer squash.
  8. While mint is classic, feel free to substitute or add fresh dill for a different, equally authentic flavor profile. A combination of both is also delicious.

Nutrition

Calories: 79kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 1gFat: 7g

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